Movie Review
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Barbie 2023: Feminist Ideology
Dressed in Pink & Frills
(2023 movie directed by Greta Gerwig, Warner Bros.)
Christina Herath
Feminist ideology dressed in pink & sparkles
The ideal feminist utopia
At the beginning of the movie, we are shown a quite disturbing scene. Little girls in dresses sit around playing with their sweet little baby dolls. Now, the feminists hate this because playing with dolls indoctrinates little girls to view themselves as future wives and mothers.
Suddenly this tranquil scene is interrupted by a giant Barbie (played by Margot Robbie), who towers over the plain and winks playfully at the girls in her immodest swimsuit, the attire of the first Barbie doll released in 1959. The doll that taught girls that they “can be anything.”
Girls playing with traditional dolls are overwhelmed when the shapely Barbie appears
Not long after, we meet the “Stereotypical Barbie” played by Margot Robbie. It is the “Barbie” everyone has grown up with – the white, blonde, shapely one we all know.
The Stereotypical Barbie partying & dancing, controlling the idiot Ken, who lives to please her
The ‘weird Barbie’ forces the other to choose to enter the ‘real world’
One day, during a party, the protagonist randomly asks her friends if they ever think of dying; this "sin" brings the party to a shocked halt. The next day, her perfect life begins to fall apart and she meets the “Weird Barbie,” who explains that a girl in the "real world" playing with her must have caused this existential crisis. You just do not think about death in Barbieland. Weird Barbie bids her – actually forces her – to go off into the “real world” and find answers.
Eventually, Barbie realizes that it is actually the girl’s mother, Gloria, who is causing the crises she experienced in Barbieland. Her daughter Sasha and her friends are not at all pleased to meet Barbie, complaining, as "woke teenagers" do, that Barbie emphasises “unrealistic physical ideals,” represents sexualised capitalism, and – confusingly - is a fascist...
A hateful depiction of men
Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, is a pitiful man whose only ambition in life is to please Barbie, who treats him with disdain. After entering the real world, Ken finds out what the patriarchy is and sees that men are more than what he thought they were: They hold jobs, direct things, etc. He is pleased and even surprised when he – a man – is asked the time by a stranger. For the first time, he feels respected.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Mattel gets word that Barbie is in the real world and tries to re-capture her to return her to her box. However, Barbie flees from these “men trying to tell her what to do” and takes Gloria and her daughter back with her to Barbieland.
The pathetic Kens become macho Kens when they take over Barbieland
The new Ken persuades the other Kens to take over, and indoctrinates the other Barbies into being submissive girlfriends, housewives and maids. Or, as the feminist would have it, the Kens have enslaved the other Barbies. Barbie tries to make Ken return to the Barbieland status quo, but he refuses.
We soon find Barbie, Gloria, her daughter Sasha and some other sympathetic toys who have escaped the “tyranny” of the Kens hiding at Weird Barbie’s place. As Barbie faces this difficult situation, Gloria makes an inspirational feminist speech on the difficulties of being a woman. Her words magically bring one of the brainwashed Barbies back to “normal,” and a plan is devised to take back Barbieland from the Kens.
Their plan is as promiscuous as it is stupid.
The Barbies celebrate their victory
It is not surprising, at this point, to realize that throughout the entire movie there was not one good strong man shown. All the men in this production are either stupid, or evil and tyrannical, or silly and uninspiring. This is not good for either girls or boys to witness.
Harmful to children
In general, the movie itself was made for children above age 13. But in view of its indoctrination, it should not be viewed by anyone who does not understand and reject the deceptive lies of feminism.
Immodest clothing & inappropriate scenes abound
Another fact worth remembering is that some of those involved with the production were also involved in films restricted to adult audiences. For example, Greta Gerwig produced the film No Strings Attached, and some of the Barbie cast were in the 2019 drama Sex Education. These same adults are now making movies that attract younger audiences. Gerwig is rumoured to be directing films about the Chronicles of Narnia next, so be aware. A leopard does not change its spots.
Ending
Returning to the movie, the Barbies rescue the land by voting to restore their own rule, but, like the now enlightened feminist rulers that they are, they will allow better treatment of the grateful Kens.
When Barbie and Ken finally reunite, Ken sheepishly discloses that it was difficult to run everything. Again, the movie mocks men, insinuating their ineptness to rule. Better to let the women do it. It is the woman dominated world of the 21st century.
A little girls imitating her idol
Finally, Stereotypical Barbie heads off for the real world again, to throw away her “perfect” life of beauty and fashion and become a “real” person named Barbara Handler. Supposedly this sends an empowering message to women.
The movie ends with Barbie visiting a gynaecologist. One might innocently imagine that Barbie wants to be a mother, but no. The visit represents a woman’s claim to her own sexual and reproductive rights, not like the Stereotypical Barbie who was created and controlled by others.
Barbie's director Greta Gerwig explained the line was also inspired by her own past, when she grew up being embarrassed and ashamed of her body, as if “everything had to be hidden.” So, the liberated Barbie can have whatever kind of body she likes. One can only assume that refers to sexual preference as well…
Women dressing up like Barbie at ‘Barbies parties’
after watching the movie
Posted October 20, 2023
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